Spray nozzle for fire hose and the like



Oct. 5, 1965 P. CAIRD SPRAY NOZZLE FOR FIRE HOSE AND THE LIKE 2SheetsSheet 1 Filed Sept. 25, 1963 m W n I a 3 C F @P .t J. mi m 2 wmaj; E u z y /4 Oct. 5, 1965 P. CAIRD SPRAY NOZZLE FOR FIRE HOSE AND THELIKE Filed Sept. 23, 1963 2. Sheets-Sheet 2 N VE N TO R.

AT TOR/VEYS United States Patent 3,210,012 SPRAY NOZZLE FOR FIRE HOSEAND THE LIKE Peter Caird, 4500 Sonoma Highway, Santa Rosa, Calif. FiledSept. 23, 1963, Ser. No. 310,948 3 Claims. (Cl. 239456) This applicationis a continu-ation-in-part of application Serial No. 128,349, filed July28, 1961, now abandoned.

My invention relates to nozzles for fire hoses and the like and refersmore particularly to nozzles of the type whereby water under pressuremay be expelled from a hose either as a direct stream or as a finelydispersed spray or foam.

Briefly and generally stated, the invention contemplates an improvedheavy duty nozzle, of the character indicated, which comprises a minimumnumber of inexpensively fabricatable and readily assembleable long livedparts, is easy to operate, and is highly efficient in practical use.

It is also an aim of the invention to provide a highly simplified firehose nozzle of the general type shown in my Patent No. 2,733,962, datedFebruary 7, 1956, but wherein the manually operable flow dischargecontrol means does not automatically function to cut off fluid flow whenreleased by the operator.

Invention also resides in certain novel features of construction,combination and arrangement of the various parts and in modes ofoperation thereof, as will be readily understood and appreciated bythose-versed in the art upon reference to the accompanying drawing inconnection with the detailed description thereof to follow.

In accordance with patent statute requirements, I have disclosed hereintwo now preferred forms of the invention. However, the present drawingdisclosures are to be taken as illustrative rather than limitative,since it will be obvious that my inventive concept is susceptible ofother mechanical expressions within the spirit and scope of the subjectmatter claimed hereinafter.

In the drawing, wherein the same reference characters have been used todesignate the same parts wherever they appear in the several views FIG.1 is a combination side elevation and axial crosssection of a firenozzle embodying my invention, and with the fluid flow control sleeve incut off position;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a detailed view showing different forms of fluid discharge;

FIG. 4 is a view generally similar to FIG. 1 showing a modified form ofthe invention, but with the control sleeve 52 positioned for cylindricalstream discharge;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional detail through the combined valve and baffleof FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an elevation of the valve stem;

FIG. 7 is a detail in side elevation showing one of the sleeve (52)operating cams and its operating means;

FIG. 8 is a section taken on the line 8-8 of FIG. 4, but showingsegmental pin carried wear shoes 84:: instead of rings 84- (FIG. 4); and

FIG. 9 is a perspective of one of the wear shoes of FIG. 8.

Referring to the FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings by reference characters, thetubular base member 10 of the nozzle, which provides the fluid passage11 extending therethrough, has its enlarged rear end portion 10aprovided with the adjacent counterbores 11a, 11b which provide thecircumferential shoulders 12, 13, respectively. The

3,210,012 Patented Oct. 5, 1965 outermost counterbore 11b is threadedfor connection with a hose terminal (not shown), and there is a hoseterminal intercepting sealing gasket 14 in said counterbore 11b bearingagainst its shoulder 13.

Forwardly of its rear end enlargement 10a, the base member 10 issuccessively reduced in exterior diameter to provide the intermediateand forward cylindrical lengths 10c and 10b, the rear ends of which aredefined by the circumferential shoulders 24, 25, respectively. Thepurpose of this exterior formation of base member 10 is to limitrearward movement of a fluid flow control and cut off sleeve 26, as willbe presently apparent.

As shown in FIG. 1, a combination poppet valve and fluid baflle member16 is carried by a rearwardly extending stem 15. This valve and bafiiemember 16 is disposed in opposition to the discharge end of the passage11 and in spaced relationship to the related end 10x of body member 10,as indicated, the space being indicated at 23.

The stem 15 of the poppet valve and baflie member 16 is concentricallyand slidably supported in the fluid passage 11, 11a by its functionallyintegral forward and rear spider arms 18, 19, respectively.

As shown in FIG. 1, the reduced forward end 17 of stem 15 is threadedinto the bore 16b of the concentric rear face-provided boss 16a of thecombined poppet valve and bafile 16. A rubber gasket 20 disposed aboutboss 16a provides a rear facing for valve 16; and it is secured in placeby washer 21 and the overlying clamp ring 22 which latter seats in acircular boss-provided groove.

Still referring to FIG. 1, attention is called to the indicated maximumspacement 23 between the gasket-defined rear face of valve 16 and theforward end 10x of base member 10. This spacement 23, as will bepresently understood, determines the rate of gallonage outflow, and suchspacement 23 is established by engagement of the forward notch-providedshoulders 19a of the rear spider arms 19 with the circular passageshoulder 12 when there is fluid pressure in nozzle passage 11, 11a. Aswill be apparent, assembly of stem 15 with valve 16 can be readilyeifected by screwing the valve onto the threaded end 17 of stem 15 afterthe latter has been inserted into passage 11.

Cooperating, as shown in FIG. 1, with the bafiie valve 16 to cut offfluid discharge from the nozzle is the seat 28 which is formed at theinner end of the discharge passage enlargement 27 that is provided atthe forward end of a sleeve 26 which is slidable on the intermediate andforward portions 10b, 10c of base member 10. This sleeve passage endenlargement 27 which spacedly sur rounds valve 16, also cooperates withthe latter to determine the character of fluid discharge from the nozzle(viz. stream or divergent spray). The plane of valve seat 28 issubstantially normal to the axis of sleeve enlargement 27 for a purposewhich will be presently explained.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear major portion of sleeve 26 slides onthe intermediate portion 10b of base 10, there being provided theinternal ring-form bearing portion 29 which rides on the forward baseportion 100. As shown, the sleeve-provided bearing portion 29 providesseating grooves for the base-engaging sealing gaskets 30.

In the flow cut off position of sleeve 26 which is shown in FIG. 1, itwill be noted that the rear ends 31 and 26a of the bearing portion 29and sleeve 26 are spaced the same distance forwardly of the respectivebase-provided shoulders 25, 24. Thus, said shoulders 25, 24 cooperate tolimit the rearward or fluid flow-permitting movement of sleeve 26,forward movement of same being limited by engagement of the forward seat28 of sleeve 26 with valve 16.

The forward portion of the flow control sleeve 26 has an exteriorseating groove for the usual rubber O-ring 32 as a buffer.

Flow control means (FIGS. 1-3) As herein shown, the fluid control sleeve26 is actuated to and from the flow cut off position of FIG. 1 by meansof the two cams 34 which work in the two opposed circular recesses 33 ofcontrol sleeve 26. These cams 34 have the eccentrically positioned pins35 engaging in the space between the replaceable wear rings 36 which areseated in the exterior sleeve-provided groove 37. Manual simultaneousoperation of the cams 34 is effected by the usual nozzle carrying handle38. The rectangularly recessed free ends 39 of handle 38 receive therespective similarly shaped outer bosses 34a of cams 34, as indicated;and pins 40 retain 39, 34a assembled.

When the sleeve 26 is retracted by the action of earns 34 to space valveseat 28 rearwardly of valve 16, it will be understood that so long asthe baffle valve 16 remains well within the forward sleeve space 27 afluid stream which is externally cylindrical in cross-section will bedischarged from the nozzle as indicated in full lines in FIG. 3.However, as the sleeve 26 is further retracted, a progressivelydivergent spray discharge results. This continues until finally theforward sleeve (26) end passes the plane of the exposed surface of thegasket 20 at which time a fog-producing disk form fluid dischargeresults.

The FIG. 4-8 construction Referring to the modified form of theinvention shown in FIGS. 4-8, inclusive, the tubular base member 45 hasthe enlarged rear end 45a providing the exterior shoulder 46. Base 45also has the threaded rear hose end-receiving socket 47 whose rear endhas the circumferential groove 48 for a hose end abutting gasket 49. Acounterbore 50, communicating with socket 47 defines the circumferentialinner end shoulder 51 to be referred to again later on.

A fluid flow control sleeve 52 is exteriorly slidable on base 45 and itsinner end 52a engages the exterior baseprovided shoulder 46 to limit itsrearward movement. The enlarged forward sleeve end 52!) iscircumferentially grooved (54) to receive the usual O-ring 55; andintermediate its ends sleeve 52 provides the aligned camreceiving bosses53.

concentrically disposed Within the body portion 45 for limitedlongitudinal movement is the stem 56 of a combined poppet and bafllevalve 58, there being radially extending spider portions 59, 60,respectively, engaging interior wall surfaces of body 45. Rearwardmovement of the valve 58 and stem 56 is limited by valve and seat 72engagement; and forward movement of same is limited by engagement of theshoulders 61 of rear fins 60 with the internal body shoulder 51.

A threaded reduction 57a of forward stem enlargement 57 takes in thetapped bore of the concentric valve 58 provided boss 62 to connect stemand valve.

Surrounding valve boss 62 is the valve seat 72 engaging gasket 65 whichis received in valve 58 provided groove 63 that is exteriorly bounded byflange 64.

A metal washer which is diametrically smaller than gasket 65 backs theinner portion of the latter; and both gasket and washer are secured inplace by a spring ring 67 which seats in a valve boss-provided groove68.

In the FIG. 4 position of the parts, wherein valve 58 is unseated withthe rear fin 60 provided shoulders 61 engaging the internal base 52provided shoulder -1, there will be a predetermined gallonage-per-minuteoutput delivery space 70 between the inwardly and rearwardly slantedforward end 69 of base 45 and the proximate surfaces of washer 66 andgasket 65.

Also to be noted from FIG. 4 is the fact that a counterbore in theforward end 52b of sleeve 52 provides an annular fluid output spaceabout valve 58, and with the inner end of said counterbore-providedspace providing the circular inwardly and rearwardly inclined seat 72for valve 58, 65.

Furthermore, the surfaces of body end 69 and valve seat 72 are alignedin the FIG. 4 adjustment of the parts when a cylindrical stream will bedischarged; and spaces and 71 communicate at all flow-permittingadjustments of sleeve 52 with respect to base 45Which is very important.

As shown, base 45 has exterior circumferential grooves 73 for sealinggaskets 74, 76 and that certain of these grooves at least forwardly ofbosses 53 have ducts communicating with the interior of the base member45 so that fluid pressure from the base member provided passage willexert itself upon the gaskets, such as 74, to effect a better sealbetween same and the inner periphery of the sleeve 52; and also(especially after the gaskets are slightly worn) provide a lubricatingaction between 45, 52 as the result of slight seepage of water partrelated gaskets.

Handle 77 controls sleeve 52 shifting as usual, the handle ends havingthe open ended slots 78 detachably receiving the rectangular cam-carriedprojections 79. Cams 80 work in the boss (53) provided bearings 81; andthe cams 80 of FIG. 8 omit the outer marginal bossoverlying flange 80aand the gaskets 86 of FIG. 4.

Bores 88 of cams 80 slidably carry the pins 82 having inner head ends 83which are spring-urged as at 86 in FIG. 8 to bear against the back ofthe annular base-provided groove and the inner peripheries of thelaterally spaced wear rings 84 of FIG. 4. But in FIG. 8 pin heads 83rotatably engage in holes 89 0f arcuate wear shoes 84a working in groove85 to reduce groove wear. As shown in FIG. 8 pin bores 82a receive coilsprings 86 to bear against heads 83 and the rear ends 87 of cam bores88.

As will be understood, when the handle 77 is rocked in one direction,the sleeve 52 will be retracted; and when it is rocked in the otherdirection the valve 58 carried sealing gasket 65 will engage the sleeve52 provided valve seat 72.

As previously noted, when the sleeve is positioned as in FIG. 4, therewill be a cylindrical stream discharge; but when the sleeve 52 isretracted so that its outer end is in line with the inner surface ofwasher 65 (or is inwardly of the plane thereof), there will be a diskform spray or mist discharged from the nozzle.

Several important features of the invention are to be noted as follows:

Firstly, as to the FIG. 1-3 form of the invention, the engagement ofbase and sleeve shoulders 24, 31 and the engagement of the rear sleeveend with base shoulder 25 provides a two point supporting stop for thesleeve 26 at the limit of its rearward movement. Also in bothillustrated forms the rear base end-enlargement provides a sleeve stop.

Secondly, the replaceable wear rings (36, FIGS. 1-3; and 84, FIG. 4)absorb wear from cam pins (35, FIGS. 1 and 2; and 82, 83, FIG. 4) ratherthan the walls of an exterior base section-provided groove as in myaforementioned Patent #2733362, and such wear rings 36, 84 can bereplaced when worn.

Thirdly, my present developments provide a much sturdier and simplerstructure than does my aforementioned patent. This is so because fewerelements are used. and also because the base (10, FIG. 1; and 45, FIG.4), asshown herein, extends substantially the full length of the nozzle.Also, on the subject of simplicity, it is to: be observed that in myinstant developments both fluid cut off and fluid output character are.under the control of the cam-operating lever, which is not he case in mypatented structure mentioned. On the subject of the structure of my saidPatent #2,733,962, the automatic-flow-cut-olf-upon-handle release hasits advantages. However, many fire departments prefer a strictlymanually operated flow cut-off and control means that will not requirethe nozzle handler to keep a constant hold on a flow control handle.

Fourthly, as to the FIG. 1-3 structure, and on the subject of a strictlymanual flow and cut off control (as mentioned supra), the peculiarrelative arrangement of forward body end x, combined baffle and valve16, and the sleeve-provided valve seat 28 in connection with the closespacement of the valve head 16 and the wall of the sleeve endenlargement 27 prevents any creeping of the sleeve forwardly to thefluid cut off position of FIG. 1 when the handle 38 is not held by thenozzle handlers hand for a considerable period. By way of explanation ofthe foregoing, the slight back pressure of fluid against the valve seat28 of sleeve 26 when the nozzle is open, effectively counteracts thetendency of fluid out-put friction against sleeve wall 27 to actuate thesleeve forwardly to the fluid cut off position, wherein seat 28 engagesthe gasket covered face of the combined valve and baffle 16.

In the FIG. 48 form the same above described forward anti-sleeve (52)creeping tendency is counteracted by reason of the much greater width ofvalve seat 72, even though it slants inwardly and rearwardly.

Fifthly as to both illustrated forms of the invention, the permanentpredetermined maximum spacement (see 23, FIGS. 1 and 2; and 70, FIG. 4)of the inner surfaces of the combination poppet valves and baflles fromthe related body ends, 10x, 69 respectively, constitutes 23, 70 as fluidoutput gallonage-determining spaces, regardless of the position of therespective valve seat-providing sleeves 26, 52.

Sixthly as to the FIGS. 4-8 form of the invention, there are severaladvantages over the FIG. 1-3 form, including (a) The shallower depth offorward sleeve end recess as compared to valve thickness making forquicker change from stream discharge to a disk or mist-form discharge;

(b) The alignability of the slanting valve seat 72 and slanting body(45) end 69 for cylindrical stream discharge so as to avoid fluidpressure discharge loss;

(0) The provision of ducts 75 communicating between the gasket receivinggrooves 73 and the interior of body 45 whereby to subject gaskets 74 tofluid pressure;

(d) The use of pin (82) engaging wear shoes 84a (FIGS. 8 and 9), in lieuof the spaced rings (37, FIG. 1; and 84, FIG. 4). These shoes 84adistribute wear over an extended portion of the side walls of thecircumferential cam pin-receiving groove of the nozzle base or body (36,FIG. 1; and 85, FIGS. 4 and 8).

From the foregoing it is believed that the structures disclosed will befully understood and their advantages appreciated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

1. A hose nozzle comprising a longitudinally coextensive and tubular onepiece base member providing an unobstructed fluid passage ofsubstantially uniform diameter extending therethrough from a pointadjacent its rear fluid entry end, said passage having a hoseendreceiving enlargement at its rear end, a combined fluid baffle andcut off valve diposed in predeterminedly spaced opposition to both theforward end of said base member and its fluid passage, the space betweenthe combined bafile and valve member and the forward end to the basemember providing a nozzle gallonage output per minute determining spaceunder predetermined fluid pressures, a single fluid flow charactercontrol sleeve exteriorly and non-rotatably slidable on said basemember, said control sleeve having a forward end recess spacedlysurrounding and closely spaced to said combined fluid baifle and cut offvalve, a circumferential inwardly extending valve seat provided by therear end of said sleeve-provided recess, said sleeve being movableforwardly to engage its seat with the combined baffle and valve at apoint beyond the plane of the forward base member end whereby to limitforward sleeve movement and cut off fluid outflow from the nozzle whenthe sleeve is actuated forwardly, manual sleeve-actuating means in partprovided by the latter and in part by the base member, the sleeve beingretractable rearwardly to variably space its seat from the seat-engagingface of the combined baflle and valve member, whereby to providedischarge of an exteriorly cylindrical stream for so long as the sleeverecess surrounds the valve and a fluid mist discharge after the sleeveend has been retracted beyond the plane of the rear face of saidcombined baflle and valve and the sleeve-provided valve seat being soconstituted as to intercept the back pressure of fluid there-againstwhen the valve is unseated and counteract any tendency of the controlsleeve to creep forwardly due to fluid outflow friction against thewalls of the exit recess of the control sleeve, and wherein the exteriorsurface of the intermediate portion of said base member has acircumferential groove, laterally spaced and removable wear rings insaid groove, said manual sleeveactuating means comprising cam meansswingably carried by diametrically opposite exterior portions of saidcontrol sleeve and having pin means engaging in the space between saidwear rings, and a common actuator operatively connected to said cammeans.

2. The structure of claim 1 and wherein the base member is longer thansaid control sleeve and has adjoining diametrically reduced intermediateand forward portions on which the control sleeve slides, each of saiddiametrically reduced forward and intermediate portions providing ashoulder at its rear end, the shoulder of the intermediate portion beingdisposed in opposition to the rear end of said control sleeve whereby tolimit rearward movement of the sleeve on the base, an inwardly extendingring-form bearing functionally integral with said control sleeve andslidable on said forward base portion, said ring-form bearing definingthe rear end of said forward sleeve and recess while providing saidvalve seat, and the ring-form bearing providing a rear shoulder which isopposed to the exterior rear shoulder of the forward base portion andengages the latter when the rear sleeve end and intermediate portionshoulder engage, so that a dual stop means is provided to limit rearwardmovement of the control sleeve on said base member.

3. A hose nozzle comprising a longitudinally coextensive and tubular onepiece base member providing an unobstructed fluid passage ofsubstantially uniform diameter extending therethrough from a pointadjacent its rear fluid entry end, said passage having a hoseend-receiving enlargement at its rear end, a combined fluid baffle andcut off valve disposed in predeterminedly spaced opposition to both theforward end of said base member and its fluid passage, the space betweenthe combined baflle and valve member and the forward end of the basemember providing a nozzle gallonage output per minute determining spaceunder predetermined fluid pressures, a single fluid flow charactercontrol sleeve exteriorly and non-rotatably slidable on said basemember, said control sleeve having a forward end recess spacedlysurrounding and closely spaced to said combined fluid baffle and cut offvalve, a circumferential inwardly extending valve seat provided by therear end of said sleeve-provided recess, said sleeve being movableforwardly to engage its seat with the combined baffle and valve at apoint beyond the plane of the forward base member end whereby to limitforward sleeve movement and cut off fluid outflow from the nozzle whenthe sleeve is actuated forwardly, manual sleeve-actuating means in partprovided by the latter and in part by the base member, the sleeve beingretractable rearwardly to variably space its seat from the 7seateng'aging face of the combined batfie and valve member, whereby toprovide discharge of an exteriorly cylindrical stream for so long as thesleeve recess surrounds the valve and a fluid mist discharge after thesleeve end has been retracted beyond the plane of the rear face of saidcombined bafile and valve and the sleeve-provided valve seat being soconstructed as to intercept the back. pressure of fluid thereagainstwhen the valve is unseated and counteract any tendency of the controlsleeve to creep forwardly due to fluid outflow friction against thewalls of exit recess of the control sleeve, and wherein the exteriorsurface of the intermediate portion of said base member has acircumferential groove, said manual sleeve-actuating means comprisingcam means swingably carried by diametrically opposite exterior portionsof said control sleeve and having pin means engaging in the spacebetween said wear rings, spring means urging said pin means toward saidbase member-provided groove, elongated arcuate wear shoes in said grooveand operatively connected to said pin means, and a common actu- 20 atoroperatively connected to said cam means.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 12/16 Andreolli285-106 2,441,596 5/48 Reitter 74-57 2,552,445 5/51 Nielsen 239-4562,565,457 8/51 Spender 239-456 2,678,847 5/54 Caird 239-456 2,711,9296/55 Nielsen 239-456 2,733,962 2/56 Caird 239-499 2,747,939 5/56 Caird239-456 2,806,741 9/57 Fishelson 239-456 2,955,766 10/60 Nielsen 239-4563,010,454 11/61 Lucie et al. 239-455 FOREIGN PATENTS 566,227 1/ 5 8Canada. 882,342 7/53 Germany.

M. HENSON WOOD, 111., Primary Examiner.

EVERETT W. KIRBY, LOUIS I. DEMBO, Examiners.

1. A HOSE NOZZLE COMPRISING A LONGITUDINALLY COEXTENSIVE AND TUBULAR ONEPIECE BASE MEMBER PROVIDING AN UNOBSTRUCTED FLUID PASSAGE OFSUBSTANTIALLY UNIFORM DIAMETER EXTENDING THERETHROUGH FROM A POINTADJACENT ITS REAR FLUID ENTRY END, SAID PASSAGE HAVING A HOSEENDRECEIVING ENLARGEMENT AT ITS REAR END, A COMBINED FLUID BAFFLE ANDCUT OFF VALVE DISPOSED IN PREDETERMENEDLY SPACED OPPOSITION TO BOTH THEFORWARD END OF SAID BASE MEMBER AND ITS FLUID PASSAGE, THE SPACE BETWEENTHE COMBINED BAFFLE AND VALVE MEMBER AND THE FORWARD END TO THE BASEMEMBER PROVIDING A NOZZLE GALLONAGE OUTPUT PER MINUTE DETERMINED SPACEUNDER PREDETERMINED FLUID PRESSURES, A SINGLE FLUID FLOW CHARACTERCONTROL SLEEVE EXTERIORLY AND NON-ROTATABLY SLIDABLE ON SAID BASEMEMBER, SAID CONTROL SLEEVE HAVING A FORWARD END RECESS SPACEDLYSURROUNDING AND CLOSELY SPACED TO SAID COMBINED FLUID BAFFLE AND CUT OFFVALVE, A CIRCUMFERENTIAL INWARDLY EXTENDING VALVE SEAT PROVIDED BY THEREAR END OF SAID SLEEVE-PROVIDED RECESS, SAID SLEEVE BEING MOVABLEFORWARDLY TO ENGAGE ITS SEAT WITH THE COMBINED BAFFLE AND VALVE AT APOINT BEYOND THE PLANE OF THE FORWARD BASE MEMBER END WHEREBY TO LIMITFORWARD SLEEVE MOVEMENT AND CUT OFF FLUID OUTFLOW FROM THE NOZZLE WHENTHE SLEEVE IS ACTUATED FORWARDLY, MANUAL SLEEVE-ACTUATING MEANS IN PARTPROVIDED BY THE LATTER AND IN PART BY THE BASE MEMBER, THE SLEEVE BEINGRETRACTABLE REARWARDLY TO VARIABLY SPACE ITS SEAT FROM THE SEAT-ENGAGING FACE OF THE COMBINED BAFFLE AND VALVE MEMBER, WHEREBY TO PROVIDEDISCHARGE OF AN EXTERIORLY CYLINDERICAL